In past blogs my colleagues and I have spoken about the power of objects—the lives people live and how objects can tell their stories, hidden stories revealed through family conversations and found stories revealed in display of objects at museums.
In a blog entry from the Western Museums Association, Dewey Blanton (of the American Association of Museums) shares author Amy Tan’s feeling about museums’ display of objects and how the exhibits affect her writing. She says:
“Whenever I go to a museum, it’s as though I am there with the people who lived at that time. It’s almost as though I entered a time machine, especially when I see very intimate, very intricate little details of their lives. I often take those details and put them in my books. It may not be specifically the same detail I saw at the museum, but it triggers in me an element of memory, which . . . is what my fiction is often about.”
I ask my students to identify an object that will tell something about their culture (be it as a member of a family, community, ethnic or religious group, or special interest club) and share the story that the object embodies. I also ask them to pick any two objects and imagine the conversation they might have about the lives they have seen lived. Some of these stories are funny, some poignant and moving. When doing oral history interviews, sometimes I will ask about photographs or objects on display in the person’s living room. This often opens up a flood of memories and details.
What memories do objects hold for you? If you are a writer, how have you used objects to illustrate the ideas in your stories?
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I totally agree that objects sometimes portray one person or represents some kind of connection to a person, especially antique or old objects.
History contains precious memories for us and our children. It reminds us who we are, what we have done (right or wrong), and tell us what we need and what our future should be…
It facinates me how much I enjoy every trip to the local art museum, but saddens me as well, that so many people do not take advantage of the amazing experiences, available to them. Each time period of objects and art, conjures up its own visions of, what were they doing back then.
From where I came, people are still believe in superstitious things. Where they believe that every object has it’s own guardian that we cannot see with our bare eyes.
But I personally, on the other hand, do not trust too much for that kind of thing. I believe that each object has it’s own history and can be consider antique. Well, it depends on the person that have the particular object though. From what kind of angle does he or she wants to look at the object.
Historical object is usually contains value. Especially if that particular object is has connection with lots of people or has something to do with people’s interest.
So I think that we have to consider to preserve any historical objects, not from the supernatural side but from the history of the object itself.
One cannot be better if he does not know how to connect with his past. Keeping something monumental and historic is always something great to do.
Thank you for an interesting and thought-provoking article. One of the activities for grandparents and their grandchildren that I have enjoyed with my grandkids is visiting museums together. When there, I have always enjoyed looking at everyday items such as tea sets – from antique tea sets on down to tea sets for children from a past era. Since we love to have tea parties now, it’s a fun way to teach my grandkids about the changes from then to now with objects they can relate to.
Something symbolic in my personal life would be my cousin. She is romantically involved with an African American Man and this shows how far we have come as people. In the past interracial relationships were non-existent. And the heroes of Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King are 2 people that immediately stand out that helped changed this world for the better.
I have always enjoyed looking at everyday items such as tea sets – from antique tea sets on down to tea sets for children from a past era. Since we love to have tea parties now, it’s a fun way to teach my grandkids about the changes from then to now with objects they can relate to.
@Carl: I have the same feeling, while being deep in my thoughts about object I have experienced, but sometimes I notice people who are just running around taking photos. I can only guess they have different perception of exibition?!
I may sound stupid to your people but I find is useless to look into history in such way. I mean its okay to learn from history but I don’t see them and connect to them.I just take “oh this is what it was? interesting”. And that’s it. What i find in museums are all objects, nothing more.
A lot of people have emotional connection to objects they have from loved ones or remind them of their loved ones. I think an object can offer great confort to a person
Keeping something monumental and historic is always something great to do.
Most objects definitely have meaning and this meaning can be different from person to person.
I have enjoyed with my grandkids is visiting museums together.
It facinates me how much I enjoy every trip to the local art museum, but saddens me as well, that so many people do not take advantage of the amazing experiences, available to them. Each time period of objects and art, conjures up its own visions of, what were they doing back then.
I think the author is right on the money when it’s pointed out that objects of the past can touch us in the future. I am a high school teacher. During my first year teaching, I remember that after showing a movie about Henry VIII, one of the girls that had failed just about every test up to that point started doing her classwork and passing the test. I asked her what made her change (every other thing I tried didn’t work), she said that the movie got her to see that history is made up of real people and this interested her.
I have to believe that seeing in person objects from the past (like what is found at museums) could cause enough curiosity to get them to want to learn history.
I was never a big fan of history in school, but going to museums and seeing the actual objects of the past definitely makes it more interesting. I do like learning about historical artifacts, and would have enjoyed history in school if objects had been used more.
As the author said, photos in the living room of a home can bring back many memories. When selling a home you should make sure those objects and photos aren’t too personal. If they are too personal, the buyer will not be able see the home as their own, and continue to look for other homes.
Definitely, when I see an object it triggers a memory or history I had in my past. It happens when I watch
movies too. I see something in real life that was in a movie and I remember and have a good laugh.
I love going to the museum. It’s a place where I can truly gather my thoughts and I really feel part of history. Great post. Thank you!
Jake McMurphy
I believe that each object has it’s own history and can be consider antique.
I feel like this too when I visit museums. It’s almost like the energy of the people is still present in the room. I get the same feeling when I research my family tree, when you find out the history of the person, it feels like you are part of that moment.
Mel
I do feel the same when I look at the objects in the musuems. Other day I was in the old New England Mansion tour and was in the kitchen section looking at the cookware which reminded me of how tough and time consuming it was to cook during early 19th century. You can imagine the simple life of the people during that time.
I actually do feel the identical whenever i go through the objects inside the museums. Any other day I used to be in the old New England Mansion visit and was in the kitchen area exploring the kitchenware which brought to mind how difficult and time intensive that it was to cook during early 1800s. You can see right now the easy life of the folks in that time.
I feel like that too when I visit museums. It’s like the energy is still in the room. Thank you for knowledge in this in your post. I think it’s very universal. I think one of the ways that we receive divine communication from God is through one another.
David Peacock
Quite agree, i am an art-lover and an art dealer, which brings me to this business is just the feeling your article write about. Every day i love to enjoy oil paintings and enjoy the stories behind the paintings. Although we sell oil painting reproductions, but we usually let our artists know some stories about the original artworks they are going to reproduce.
Very good written information. It will be supportive to everyone who usess it, as well as me. Keep doing what you are doing – for sure i will check out more posts.
“What memories do objects hold for you? If you are a writer, how have you used objects to illustrate the ideas in your stories?”
As a wedding photo journalist, I am a writer of peoples lives. I find it truly remarkable that I have come to a similar conclusion regarding the intricate and delicate nature of capturing the more intimate parts of a wedding. By that I mean, capturing the bride as she dabs on perfume given to her by her grand dad or capturing a groom as he candidly speaks with his great grandmother. These seemingly mundane parts of a wedding when captured correctly become the pictures that in about 20 years tell the entire story again very vividly.
I would love to visit your state and museums. The art is very beautiful and it’s so important that someone cares if it is preserved.
Jacquelyn Dunn
I am Italian and Czechoslovakian but am American born. Though I look native American. My grandmother had a black onyx silver bracelet that gave me a glimpse into my past as a native American. I knew it since I was little as I would have dreams about living on the reservation. I have always had a natural affinity for nature and going back to nature. All of these senses came to me like you said a portal in which for what seemed like a lifetime ago sent me back in time.
I love the museum too. It always takes me to another place in time and I feel like I’m there